CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK 

(1752-1841) 

A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION 



EDITED BY HIS 
GREAT-GREAT-GRAND NEPHEW 

WILLIAM M. SWEENY 



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CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK 

(1752-1841) 

A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION 

EDITED BY HIS 
GREAT-GREAT-GRAND NEPHEW 

WILLIAM M. SWEENY 



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CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK commanded the Independent Com- 
pany, Light Horse, North Carolina Continental Line, during the 
War of the Revolution. 
All the papers relating to his application for a pension (which was 
granted) are of record in the Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C. 
In all, he submitted three separate statements of his services. As these 
three statements are substantially the same, I have selected the most 
complete one, noting any important variations or additions that appear 
in the other statements. 

Thomas Cook was born in Hanover County, Virginia, May 15, 1752, 
died in Henry County, Georgia, March, 1841, and is buried in the old 
Cook graveyard, eight miles from McDonough, Henry County, Georgia, 
on the line of the Atlanta and Covington ftaiiroad. 
My descent from Captain Cook is as follows: 

Francis Cook- Betty 



James Reagan — Nancy Cook Thomas Cook 

James Reagan — -Mary Dandridge Morrison 

Francis Washington Reagan — Sarah Cecelia Refo 

Thomas William Sweeny — Eugenia Octavia Reagan 

William M. Sweeny 

WILLIAM M. SWEENY. 
Astoria, Long Island, April 19, 1909. 



Georgia, Henry County: 

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the 
Peace, Thomas Cook, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that 
by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot 
swear positively and exactly as to the precise time of his service, but, 
according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the 
period below and in the following grades : 

On July the tenth. Seventeen hundred and seventy-six (1776), I en- 
tered the service as a private soldier in Captain John Leek's company 
(Guilford Militia), Colonel James Martin's regiment, Griffith Ruther- 
ford, General ; marched to the Cherokee Nation to suppress the Indians ; 
burnt their town, killed and destroyed as many of the Indians as we 
could get hold of; remained in the nation as long as we could get 
provisions, and was compelled to return back again. On the 25th of 
November landed at our starting point, being out four months and 
fifteen days — 4 months and Yi. This was known as the "Cherokee Ex- 
pedition." This service was in an embodied corps, called out by 
competent authority by the State of North Carolina. 

On the 1st of September, Seventeen hundred and seventy-seven 
(1777), I was elected First Lieutenant of a company of Martin's regi- 
ment, company commanded as before by John Leek, and attached to the 
said brigade commanded by the same General (Griffith Rutherford). 
The intention of this service was to scout the country throughout, for 
the Tories were very mischievous, indeed, in the lower part of the 
State alongside the seaboard. We were raised as the protectors of 
our State; McCloud was the Tory General who headed the Tories in 
the Scotch settlements, as aforesaid. In this service I was out three 
months, when we returned back to our county and homes. This was 
known in that day as the "Scotch Expedition." 

About Christmas or the ist of January (1778), we were ordered out 
as before, to the lower parts of the State, to hunt for the same Tory 
commander (McCloud), for the Tories, as soon as we had left their 
particular section, commenced their mischief. Some time in the winter 
we came upon McCloud in the Scotch settlements at a bridge (name of 
the bridge not recollected), but near a swamp called "Drowning Swamp," 
where we had a fight and killed several of the Tories and caused McCloud 
to flee with the balance. Colonel Paisley commanded our regiment at 
this time — Colonel Martin, with some of the men, remaining in the upper 
part of the State. We consumed the whole of this year as we did the 
latter part of the former, backward and forward continually. This was 
likewise known as the "Scotch Expedition" — making in the whole in 
this kind of service fifteen (15) months. I was commissioned by Gov- 
ernor Caswell. 

Early in January, Seventy-nine (1779), I was elected Captain of a 
company in Colonel Martin's regiment composed of Guilford Militia, 
and was commissioned by Governor Caswell of North Carolina. Joined 
the regiment at Guilford Court House; marched immediately for South 
Carolina, General Rutherford still commanding. Went through South 
Carolina directly to the Savannah River; joined General Lincoln at a 
place called the "Smoking Camp," about seventy miles below Augusta. 
From the "Smoking Camp" marched up the river to a place known as 
the "Sisters Ferry." From the latter place a detachment was sent over 



under General Ashe into Georgia, where they had a fight with the 
British and got defeated. This is known as the "Brier Creek Battle," 
or "Ashe's Defeat." During this expedition I remained with the army 
under General Lincoln, and was upon guard at the time and could hear 
the guns. Immediately after the above fight, General Lincoln and 
General Moultrie marched the main army up the river to a place called 
"Turkey Hill," opposite to the place where the British main army were 
encamped on the Georgia side of said river. We remained at said hill 
three weeks in full sight of the British army. In this time we frequently 
had intercourse by conversation with the British. We marched from 
this latter place under our aforesaid Generals, still higher up the river 
to a place called "Black Swamp." The day before we left "Turkey 
Hill," General Lincoln had a road cut from the hill directly into the 
country for about six miles. This was done in sight of the British 
army, and, as I thought, was done for a feintj but I now know the 
intention of our Generals in cutting said road, for the day they quit 
the road we directly marched up the river to "Black Swamp." Staid a 
few days. General Lincoln took the whole body of the regulars from 
the main army and marched for Stono. The balance of the army, con- 
sisting of North and South Carolina militia, was left under the care of 
General Moultrie at "Black Swamp," at which place I remained until 
the relief came from North Carolina, which was about the first of 
June in said year. This was a six months' expedition with no particular 
designation but that of "The United States Expedition against the 
British." At this time I received a written discharge from General 
Moultrie to march my company home, and in our proper county to be 
discharged. During our travel we had, from the hand of our General, 
orders to draw provisions for my company at the various commissaries 
as we passed on. This brought about the middle of June, 1779. 

After our return home we were instructed by our General to hold 
ourselves in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 

From June, 1779, until the first of September, 1780, I was not in any 
embodied corps doing service, but was frequently called out by our 
Colonel, who at this time was Paisley, to suppress large bodies of Tories. 
During this interval of time it is impossible to relate fully the kind of 
service performed, for it was of a very unsettled nature. We did not 
remain at home at any one time longer than about two weeks before we 
would receive orders to scout the country and restore peace and quiet 
for a while. 

In September, 1780 (vSeventeen hundred and eighty), I was ordered 
to raise a Horse Company consisting of about 30 (thirty), or as many 
as I might think necessary for the occasion — known as "Rangers." I 
marched out and met Davie and Brisbane in Mecklenburg County, 
North Carolina. From this county we marched in a body to and joined 
General Davidson on the Catawba River, where we remained scouting 
the country and harassing the British until Davidson was killed. He 
was killed by the fire of a cannon across the river from the British side 
and by the British. After the death of Davidson we dispersed and fled 
over the Yadkin. We were in a very distracted state after the death of 
our General, until Greene came to take charge of us. All this service 
was confined to the State of North Carolina. As General Greene passed 
through our State with his regulars for the South, we were required to 



join him and march with him to the South until he could or should 
intercept Cornwallis. We marched from Guilford towards Camden in 
South Carolina, where we supposed the British to be. We met him 
about the Catawba, and General Greene's forces being too feeble, he 
retreated before him into Virginia. Now I received orders from 
General Greene to go back to my State and county to raise more men 
and meet him as speedily as I could, which I did, and met him at the 
High Rock Ford on Haw River and continued with him marching and 
counter-marching through the country, until we met the British at 
Guilford. In the battle of Guilford I bore a part under General Greene, 
but our forces being too weak, we were forced to flee and give the 
ground. The British did not follow us one yard — just took our cannon 
and fired it upon us. I rode off with Greene from the battle-ground. 
According to our agreement (if it should be necessary to give them 
the ground), we were to flee to the Iron Works — 7 miles — which we 
did. The second day, including the battle-day, Cornwallis sent to the 
General to come and bury his dead, which he did. From Guilford Court 
House we pursued Cornwallis to Ramsey Mills, on Deep River, where 
we came in sight of them, but the river being high and rising, General 
Greene considered it not safe to undertake to cross, for the British 
were on the opposite bank. I think the British used about two thousand 
rails in the formation of a floating raft to pass over upon, and after 
they had passed over destroyed, as much as was in their power, the 
means they had used in crossing. General Greene considered it safest 
and best for our common country to retrace his steps and push for the 
Eutaw Springs. Upon our arrival near the place, we discovered the 
British. We halted and prepared for battle. I think this battle was 
in September, 1781, but will not say certainly. General Greene gave 
Lord Rawdon a fight and compelled him to retreat with his British 
subjects and flee the country. During this battle I and my company 
and several others were reserved by orders of the commander-in-chief 
to cover his retreat, should he deem it necessary for the safety of his 
country to make one. From the above place I was sent back with my 
company and several more to our proper county and State to protect 
it and defend it and our women and children from the plunderings of 
the Tories and British ; for they were scattered over the whole country, 
and distress and dismay covered our whole land. I was, by General 
Greene, ordered not to disband my company upon our return home, 
but to be ever vigilant and scout the whole upper country of our State 
until he should require our assistance, and if he should, we would be 
immediately informed of it and ordered to march. I did as ordered, 
until I received instructions from Headquarters that peace was made 
and there was no more use for us. Upon which news I was discharged 
from the service and ordered to discharge my company; I did so, which 
ended my labors. I think it was in the Spring of (1783) that we were 
discharged as above stated. 

In this declaration, amendatory of my former, I have endeavored to 
be as particular and definite in relation to my service as was in my 
power. I know one thing, that, if I cannot satisfy the War Depart- 
ment of my service, my country is enjoying the fruits of my labor for 
six years spent in her service. 

In all of the above service, I was called upon regularly and legally 



by my country, and for the periods above mentioned. I was in the field 
as a regular embodied militia soldier as above stated. As I have formerly 
stated, I w^as not, during the above periods of time, engaged in any 
civil or other lucrative employment or pursuit. There is some difference 
in respect to duties in this declaration and the former, but I believe the 
latter to be as near right as my memory can serve. It is impossible 
for me to be strictly correct in the relating the whole of the events and 
occurrences which took place during the war. I am a poor old man 
and desire the assistance of my country now that she is willing to 
pay me for my service rendered to her fifty years ago, but if I cannot do 
all the War Department requires me to do, I have made the best 
statement in my power, and if this will not suffice, my case must suffer. 
The Searcher of all hearts knows that what I have said is true, and 
far be it for me, in the very smallest degree, to endeavor to practice a 
deception upon my country. 

I have looked at the requests contained in the letter from the De- 
partment and have endeavored, as far as my memory and the notable 
events would enable me, to give a satisfactory account of my service. 

Y In that I served as a private soldier 

o 4 months 15 days in 1776 

o 3 months as ist Lieutenant 1777 

12 months as ist Lieutenant 1778 

4 as Captain, ist Jan. 1779-80-81-82-83. 

1 know the circumstances, occurrences and events as above detailed 
to be true, but there may be error as to the dates. I have proved my 
service by the respectable witnesses, both of whom served under me, 
one for 2 years, the other 4. To Mr. Theodosius Cook and the Rev. 
Henry Hardin, the latter of whom is now receiving his pay for the very 
service performed while a soldier under me. 

Sworn to before me 
the 7th August, 1833, Thos. Cook. 

Wm. Camp, 
/. P. 



Georgia, Henry County: 

I, Alexander G. Murray, Clerk of the Inferior Court for said 
county, do certify that William Camp whose name appears to the 
within as a justice of the peace is an acting Justice of the Peace for 
said County and that full faith and credit are due his official acts as 
such. 

Given under my hand and private seal there being no county seal, 
this loth day of August, 1833. 

Alexander G. Murray, [seal.] 



EXTRACTS FROM FIRST DECLARATION OF 
THOMAS COOK. 

States that he joined the main army under General Rutherford in 
Rowan County, North Carolina, and marched to the Cherokee Nation, 
where they burnt and destroyed seventeen towns and villages and as 
many Indians as they could get hold of. 

Says the commission of Captain issued to him by Governor Caswell 
of North Carolina, "I have long since lost, taking no care at all of it, 
for I never expected to receive any pay for that I had at this late day. 
Time has nearly worn me away, but, thank God, my mind continues 
vigorous and sound." 

Refers to the following as witnesses to his service in the Revolu- 
tionary War: 

Charles Gales^ of Walton County, Georgia. 

Theodosius Cook^ of Pike County, Georgia. 

"References in county in which I live — Tand W. Key, Postmaster, 
Col. Oliver W. Cox, Judge Russell, Judge Spencer, Rev. James Gamble, 
Rev. Joshua Calloway, Rev. Benj. Wilson and the Hon. Wiley Thomp- 
son, of Elbert County." 

States that he was born in "Hanover County, Virginia, May 15, 
1752," and that he has a record of his birth "at home transcribed from 
my father's Bible." 

Says he "removed from North Carolina to Wilkes now Elbert County, 
where I remained until 1830, when I removed to Henry County, where 
I now live." 



EXTRACTS FROM SECOND DECLARATION OF 
THOMAS COOK. 

In the year 1777, in September, I was elected a Lieutenant of a 
company in Martin's regiment attached to the same brigade as before 
and in this year I served three months in actual service in the lower 
part of the State of North Carolina in pursuit of the Tory commander, 
McCloud, who was protected and supported by what was then called 
the "Highland Scotch Tories." All the aforementioned service was by 
lawful and competent authority of the State of North Carolina. This 
last expedition was known by the name of the "Scotch Expedition." 
Out three months. Colonel John Paisley was our Colonel in this affair. 



In the Fall or ist September (1780), I was ordered to raise a com- 
pany of horsemen for three months, commanded by Davie and Brisbane. 
The main object of this expedition was to keep the British in check 
until the northern army came, — Gates having been defeated. Marched 
to the Catawba River — Davidson was killed. In this tour I was out 
three months in actual service. I joined General Greene on his retreat 
from Cornwallis and went into Virginia, and as soon as General Greene 
thought himself strong enough for Cornwallis, we marched back into 
North Carolina to Hills Boro. From there we went to Guilford Court 
House. 

8 



PAPERS ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION OF 
THOMAS COOK. 

GEORr.iA, Henry County: 

Affidavit of Theodosius Cook that he served under Thomas Cook 
and has known him 50 years. 

"I was born in the same State, and am upwards of 70 years of age. 
I am now living in the adjoining county." 
Sworn to "December 18, 1832." 



Monroe, Walton County, Georgia: 

Rev. Henry Hardin deposeth and saith that he has been acquainted 
with Thomas Cook "ever since and before the commencement of the 
Revolutionary War." and that he served under Captain Thomas Cook. 
He states that in all his acquaintance with Thomas Cook "he was a true 
friend to his country and maintained the character of an officer and 
soldier and has borne that character ever since, as also the character 
of an honorable and upright man as an individual." 
Sworn to "June 15, 1833." 

Letter dated "Tucker's Cabin, Ga., Sept. 21, 1844," asking for a 
copy of the declaration made by Thomas Cook when he applied for a 
pension. 

(Signed) "Francis Cook, 

an heir and administrator." 



Certificate dated "Chambers County, Alabama, July 31, 1850," of 
Fenton Cook, son, and Elizabeth Faulkner (Russell) granddaughter 
of Captain Thomas Cook, and William Russell, husband of Elizabeth 
Faulkner, that they believe themselves entitled to dues from the pen- 
sion office. 

Letter dated "Lafayette, Chambers County, Alabama, Jan. 26, 1852," 
from Richards & Faulkner, to the Commissioner of Pensions, Wash- 
ington, D. C, requesting in the name of the heirs of Thomas Cook 
information regarding any commutation pay, etc., that may be due them 
as his heirs. 

Power of Attorney of Samuel Cook, son of Thomas Cook and acting 
administrator of Thomas Cook, deceased, to an attorney at Washing- 
ton, D. C, empowering him to collect any moneys due the heirs of 
Thomas Cook. 
Dated February 19, 1852. 



Afifidavit of Benjamin Cook that he knew Captain Thomas Cook 
"and was v/ell acquainted with him during the Revohitionary War and 
know that he served as a soldier and for a considerable length of time 
as a Cavalry officer." 

(Dated) "Pike County, Georgia, 29 July, 1852." 



Georgia^ Spalding County: 

William Moseley deposeth and saith that he knew Captain Thomas 
Cook "from my earliest recollection and have often heard him say that 
he was Captain of a company of moimted men of the North Carolina line 
of Continental soldiers in the Revolutionary War and that he was guide 
to General Greene at the battle of Guilford. I have also heard my 
uncle Henry Moseley, who served, as I have learned, in Captain Literal's 
regiment of mounted men, say that Thomas Cook was a Captain of a 
mounted company, and I have never heard it disputed by anyone." 

(Dated) July 31, 1852. 

(Signed) Wm. Moseley. 



Affidavit of Elizabeth Burch that she was born, raised and lived 
in the immediate neighborhood of Thomas Cook in North Carolina 
and knew him from 1777 to the time he moved to Henry County, Georgia, 
about 1830. 

(Headed) "Elberton, Georgia." 

(Dated) "Henry County, Ga., 7 Dec. 1852." 



10 



State of North Carolina, 

Comptroller's Office, 

July 13, 1854. 

I, William J. Clark^ Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for 
the State aforesaid, certify that it appears of record in my office among 
the payments made by said State to sundry persons for military services 
in the Revolutionary War as follows, to w^it: Thomas Cook 

Indent or Army Certificate T\^o. 1530 issued by the auditors of Salis- 
bury District August 9, 1782, £36 specie 

Book No. 5, p. 4, £ 20 S. 4 specie Aug. 12, 1782 

Book No. 5, p. 5, f 2 S.18 " June 14, 1782 

Book No. 5, p. 42, £ 7 '" Aug. 8, 1782 

Book No. 5, p. 44, £ 10 " Aug. 8, 1783 

Book No. I, p. 39, £ 6 S.19 " June 12, 1783 

Book No. 23, p. 86, £ 56 " 

Vol. E.G. £374 S.I o — May, 1779 

Indent No. 141 5 issued by Auditors of Salisbury District, August 8, 
1782, Captain Thomas Cook, £2"] S.io specie 

Book E, p. 69, £25 S.14 currency February, 1779, Lieutenant. 

Book E, p. 71, £30 " September, 1779, Captain. 

Vol. A, entry 8399, Captain Thomas Cook, for services (Militia) of 
self and company, £228 S.17 d.6 specie. 

Same vol., entry 8404, £ 36 S.15 specie for ditto to ditto. 

Same vol., entry 8406, £179 S. 9 for ditto to ditto. 

Same vol., entry 8735, £ 33 S. 8 for ditto to ditto. 

The four last payments were allowed by the Auditors of Salisbury 
District in the years 1782 and 1783. 

Book E, p. 71. "Captain Thomas Cook, Company £1782 S.8 currency 
September, 1779." Specie value £84 S.17 D.6. 

An original roll is in my office entitled "A Return of the nine months' 
service from Guilford County, commanded by Lt. Thos. Cook, Feb. 22, 
1779," signed "Thos. Cook, Lieutenant." 



XI 



LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF FRANCIS COOK, OF 

ELBERT COUNTY, GEORGIA, FATHER OF 

CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK. 

In the name of God, amen. This eleventh day of August in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, 1, Francis Cook, of 
the County of Elbert, being of sound mind and memory calling to mind 
the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all 
men to die, do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and 
testament in manner and form as follows (to wit) : First, I recommend 
my soul to God who gave it and intreat Him through the righteousness 
of Christ to receive it in mercy, and my body to the dust to be buried 
in such manner as my executors, whom I shall hereafter name and 
appoint, shall think fit, and as for my worldly goods with which it has 
pleased God to bless me, I do order and dispose of in the following 
manner, viz. : 

Item. I desire that all my just debts be paid. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Betty, two hun- 
dred acres of land to be divided off the west or upper end of the land 
on which I now reside, in such manner as to give her the Dwelling 
House and Garden and is to be divided by a straight line to proceed from 
a new made corner pine on John Willis' line on the side of the old 
road and to extend through my land to Walker Richardson's line, thence 
on the line of the land at present claimed by him the said Walker 
Richardson, and on lines at present claimed by Josiah Cook and John 
Willis to the place of beginning, as also the Bed and Furniture that 
I got with her ; one Chest and one trunk, one Horse equal in value to 
the mare I got with her, and one Saddle and Bridle and five Hundred 
dollars in money, which Legacy is to my wife Betty her heirs and assigns 
forever. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my two Grandsons James Ragans* 
and Charles Ragans five Hundred acres of Land in Franklin County, 
on Hunters Creek, which said Legacy is to my said two Grandsons their 
heirs and assigns forever, which said five Hundred acres of land is one- 
half of a tract granted to Thomas Gregg and William Moss. 

Item. I desire that the Balance of my estate of whatsoever name 
or quality be equally divided amongst all my children and the children 
of Dudley Cook my son deceased I desire to inherit their father's equal 
part, and the children of my daughter Nancy Ragans, deceased, I desire 
shall inherit their mother's equal part, so that this clause in my will 
stands thus : my sons Thomas Cook, John Cook and the children of my 
son Dudley Cook, my sons Josiah Cook, Joshua Cook, Benjamin Cook 
and Elisha Cook, and the children of my daughter Nancy Ragans, de- 

*Reagan, 

12 



ceased, my daughters Sarah Long and Elizabeth Moseley, which said 
Legacies are to my said children, their heirs and assigns forever. 

Lastly, I appoint my two sons Thomas Cook and Joshua Cook and 
my trusty friend Richardson Hunt executors and my well beloved wife 
Betty executrix of this my last will and testament. 

In Witness Whereof I do hereby set my hand and seal the day 
and year first written. Signed, sealed and pronounced by the testator 
to be his last will and testament in presence of Francis Cook, Jnr., 
Wni. Lane, Jnr., W. Woods. 

Francis Cook. 

[L.S.] 



Court of Ordinary, March Term, 1813. 
Georgia, Elbert County: 

Personally appeared in open court Francis Cook, Jnr., and William 
Woods, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within will of Francis 
Cook, Senr., deceased, and made oath that they saw the said deceased 
sign his name to the within will and also heard him acknowledge the 
same as his last will and testament and at the time of executing the 
same he was of sound mind, memory and understanding, and that they 
did in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each 
other subscribe their names as witnesses of the same and that William 
Lane, Jnr., did at that time and in the presence of the Testator and 
at his request subscribe his name to the same as a witness. Sworn 
to in open court, this first day of March, 1813. Test. Jas. Banks, J. L C. 

Francis Cook. 
William Woods. 

And the same being approved it is ordered to be Recorded. 

Attest Wm. Woods, Clerk, C. O. 



EXECUTOR'S OATH. 

Georgia, Elbert County: 

We, Thomas Cook and Joshua Cook do solemnly swear the writing 
produced in Court and herewith shewn is the last will and testament 
of Francis Cook, deceased, so far as we know or believe, and that we 
will well and truly execute the same, by paying first the debts and then 
the Legacies contained in the said will, as far as the goods and chattels 
will hereunto extend and the law charges us with and that we will 
make a true and perfect Liventory of such goods and chattels. Sworn 
to in open Court this first day of March, 1813. Attest Wm. Woods, 
C. C. o. 

Thomas Cook. 
Joshua Cook. 
Recorded the i6tli March, 181 3. 

Wm. Woods, Clerk, C. O. 

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